Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 564

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The Ophthalmic Department of the Tung Wah Hospital.

In making the second annual report on the ophthalmic department of the Tung Wahr Hospital, it is a source of very great gratification to be in a position to state that during the past year great and increasing progress has been made. I think I may now say that the appreciation of the department amongst the Chinese community is universal. This appre- ciation is not only confined to the limits of this Colony, for many patients have journeyed specially down from Canton to receive the benefits of the department, and some few have even come from remote villages up the West River, A modicum of national pride will be pardoned if I take this opportunity of referring to the fact that Great Britain has ever been in the van in the continuous battle against ophthalmic disease, and while occupying this prominent position is not insensible to the lessons taught and good work done by the great Continental and American ophthalmologists. At the Tung Wah Hospital in meting out treatment for ophthalmic diseases, whilst the methods of that admirable institution the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital are in the main followed, there is maintained a judicious blending of the best Continental and American work. I have again to thank the Directors of the hospital for their unfailing courtesy, especially the late chairman Mr. Ho KOM TONG.

It will be gratifying to the Directors to know that in November last the Secretary of State for the Colonies through His Excellency the Governor expressed his appreciation of the work done by the ophthalmic department. That this appreciation is also shared by the Colonial Government is practically shown by the fact that immediately on the publication of last year's report steps were taken to combat the prevalence of infections eye disease referred to in the report. Dr. JORDAN was delegated to examine all Government schools and I was requested to examine private schools. The percentage results of trachoma prevalence were relatively enor- mous. In one school that I examined almost 50%. It is with great pleasure that I am able to state that in this school the greatest intelligence was shown by the teachers in co-operating with the Government for the stamping out of the discase. The result is that already the prevalence of trachoma in this school has been reduced to a minimum. No more striking proof of the effect of an enlightened Government upon the welfare of the community could be instanced and I have reason to know that acting under medical advice the Government of this Colony has taken the necessary steps to wipe out this blot upon the health of the school children of the Colony. It is my sincere hope that the neighbouring and friendly Government of His Imperial Chinese Majesty will follow this most excellent example set by the Government of Hongkong, and thus initiate a successful measure for the prevention of blindness so common in all the great cities of China.

Hours of Attendance.

These have been changed since the last report. on Mondays and Fridays.

Patients are now seen from 4.30 p.m.

Review of work done.

I

Statistics have been kept since Feb. 22nd. The total number of patients who attended from the above date to Dec. 31st amounted to 2,039. Of these 487 were new cases. append a table of the various cases seen. This table presents certain features of interest. In the first place the extraordinary preponderance of trachoma is noteworthy, viz., 31.4% of all new cases seen. With regard to this disease various experiments were made to discover if possible some less painful and more rapid cure, as a routine measure, than "blue-stone", with excellent results.

The comparative rarity of blepharitis and lacrimal diseases in Chinese patients is remarkable.